Folding chair



Nov. 30 1926. 1,608,911

A. B. SMITH FOLDING CHAIR Filed April l3 1925 7 /l/ e ////////lll// W//mnmumummm Alfred Erl-DUKE Emllh @H01 nef Patented Nov. 30, 1926.

ALFRED B. SMITH, OF MILWAUKEE, OREGON.

FOLDING CHAIR.

Application nled April 13, 1925. Serial No. 22,787.

This invention relates to improvements in folding chair constructions.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved type of folding chair embod 'ing a very durable arrangement) of parts, an which may be compactly folded or extendedto provide a very stable chair.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a folding chair embodying a novel shaped arrangement of leg supporting means which enables the chair to be compactly folded; easily operated or folded; gives ease and comfort to the person using the chair; and provides a very stable supporting structure.

A further object of this invention is the provision of novel details of hingedly and slidably connecting the various parts of the chair for folding or extension.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved chair in extended position.

Figure 2 is' a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through the improved chair construction on a vertical plane, and showing the improved details of construction.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the im.

proved chair in collapsed position.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the im proved chair collapsed.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken through the improved chair in extended position just above the seat thereof.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 6--6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 isa cross sectional View taken substantially on. the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of this invention, the letter A may generally designate the improved chair, which may linclude a front leg and back supporting frame B; rear leg supporting construction C; and seat structure D; the im- Iproved chair embodying other novel details of hingedly and slidably connecting the parts B, C and D.

Referring to the rear leg and back frame C of the improved chair A, the same preferably lncludes the longitudinal side rails 10 and 11 to which the seat D is hnedly connected. Upwardly of the point of:a seat connection, said side rails provide supports for the back structure 12 of the chair; said back structure 12 preferably including upper and lower transverse members 13 and 14 respectlvely supportin the vertical slats 15, as is illustrated in `igures 2 and 4 of the drawing. Below the hinged connection of the seat D with the longitudinal rails 10 and 11; the latter provide front supporting legs 20 and 21 respectively. The rails or members 10 and 11 are somewhat novelly formed, preferably being concavo-convex, with the major arcuation thereof at the leg portions 20 and 21; the seat arrangement D being extended from the concave side of the said rails 10 and 11. The said rails or members 1-0 and 11 are so formed in order to rovide a compact and correctly .designed c air to best enable the same'to be collapsed and stably positioned in cooperation with other connecting details of the invention. At the Y lower end edges each of the legs 20and 21 is preferably provided with a pair of substantially disc-shaped resilient feet or rests 25; it being preferred that the said end edge be cut diagonally to the length of the legs 20 and 21. At their lower ends the legs 20 and 21 are preferably connected by a cross brace 126 secured in any approved manner to said egs.

The rear leg structure C preferably comprises the leg members 30 and 31, which are each of S-shaped formation, or in the form of a reverse curve` connected in parallel relation by means of upper, lower and intermediate cross braces 32, 33 and 34 respectively. The spacing of the legs 30 and 81 is sufficient to permit their reception in the space between thelegs 20 and 21 of the front leg structure B. The legs 30 and 31 at their lower diagonally cut edges are provided with a pair of resilient rests or feet 36, similar to the feet 25. At their upper ends each of said legs 80 and 31 provides an upwardly extending reduced guide lug 40, preferably formed Hush at the inside surface of said legs, and adapted for slidable cooperation in the seat structure D as will be subsequently described.

The leg structures B and C have a novel slidable connection which enables the same `to be .collapsed and extended. This conside edges 54 and 55 of said seat.

struction preferably comprises similar devices for connecting the legs 20 and 30 and the legs 21 and f3 Fach ol' these devices preferably comprises a slotted plate 4U, of rectangular forni. having a diagonal slot 41 therein secured in any approved manner as by screws 42 over a. pocket or recess 44 provided inwardly of the outer sides of the legs and 31. The length of the plate 40 is arranged longitudinally of the respective legs 30 and 31, so that the slots 41 are arranged at an acute angle to the legs 30 and 31. Detachable bolts 45 aie carried by legs 20 and 21, having the nuts 46 thereof at the outer sides of said legs, and heads 4T spaced inwardly from the inside surfaces of said legs 20 and 2l; said heads 47 being adapted to slide in the pockets 44 of the adjacent legs 30 and 31; the shanks 48 of said bolts extending through the slots 41 of the guide plates 40. The heads 47 of the bolts 45 are of course wider than the width of the slots 41, so that the adjacent legs of the frame portions B and C are slidably connected in an X-shaped relation by means of the bolts 45 being connected in the slotted plates 40.

The seat structure D is preferably solid` having the upper surface thereof recessed to comfortably seat a person. although the seat structure D may be of slatted or other construction if desired. At the rear edge thereof the same provides the rear extensions 50 and 51 projecting rearwardly of the rear edge 52 preferably7 flush with the The seat body 56 inwardly of the bottom surface thereof'and adjacent the side edges 54 and 55 is preferably provided with the slots 57 and 58, within which the upper reduced ends or legs 40 of the legs 30 and 31 cooperate.

The seat body 56 is connected to the rails 10 and 11 of the frame structure B by means of novelly formed members 60, just below the back structure of the chair, and preferably just below the cross member 14. Each of the members 6() is preferably formed of sheet metal, providing the rectangular portion 62 within which an extension 50 or 51 of the seat is received. This member 62 at its ends is brought into parallel abutment to provide an extension 63 contiguous with a side wall of the rectangular receiving portion 62, and which extension 63 is adapted to receive the shank of a bolt 64 therethrough; the nut portion 65 of the said bolt being adapted to be received at the inside of the rail member 10 or 11. The seat structure D thus includes the body 56 pivotally connected to the rails 10 and 11 of the frame structure B by means of the bolts 64, at pivot points or on a pivot axis disposed upwardly of the lplane of the seat. body 56; the point of pivotal connection being placed below the back of the chair and in an out of the way relation so that the members do not,interfere either in extended or folded position. To secure the members 60 to the extensions 50 and 51 screws 68 may be provided, as is illust-rated in Figure 7 of the drawing.

To brace the legs 3() and 31 in extended relation with the legs 20 and 21. it is to be noted that the lugs 40 engage the front edges 70 of the slots 57 and 58. and in this position the seat D is stably supported in a horizontal position.

To prevent independent movement of the seat with respect to the leg frame C the upper ends of the legs 30 and 31 are each provided with rigidly attached hook-shaped members 75, with inwardly extending retaining ends 76 adapted to cooperate in slots 77 provided inwardly of the side edges 54 and 55 of the seat body 56. The slots 77 at their rear ends are downturned at 79 to permit proper collapsing of the Seat and leg details, in the position illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing.

From the foregoing description of this invention it is apparent that a novel leg sup porting and connecting arrangement for folding chairs has been provided which is particularly novel in the manner in which the rear leg frame structure is connected to the seat structure, and also being novel in the manner in which the brackets 60 swivellv connect the seat structure in an underslung manner to the back of the chair.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and de! scribed, without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a folding chair the combination of a front leg structure, a rear leg structure collapsihly pivoted in X-shaped relation between its ends to -the front leg construction, a seat pivotally connected at itsrear end to the upper end of the front leg construction, said seat having elongated grooves facing downwardly from the lower surface thereof, lugs formed on the upper ends of said legs of said rear leg construction slidably extending into the grooves in the bottom of said seat, said seat having slots formed inwardly of the side edges thereof, and retaining members carried by the upper end of the rear leg construction extending into said slots to slidably pivot the rear leg construction to said seat to prevent independent movement of the same away from each other.

2. A folding chair comprising a front leg construction, a rear leg construction, lateral extension carried by the legs of one of said leg constructions, the other of said leg constructions having rectilinear slots provided therein diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the legs in which said slots are formed, and in which slots the extensions of said other tion between its ends to leg construction slidably pivot to connect said leg constructions in an X-shaped relation, and a seat pivotally connected upon the front leg construction and slidably connected to the rear leg construction.

3. In a folding chair the combination of a front leg construction, a rear leg construction collapsibly pivoted in X-shaped relation between its ends to the front leg construction, a seat pivotally connected at its rear end to the upper end of the front leg construction, said seat inwardly of the bottom surfaces thereof having downwardly facing elongated grooves extending along the seat from the front toward the rearand at the front terminating in abrupt shoulders facing rearwardly, the upper ends of said legs of the rear leg construction being formed to slidably'extend upwardly into said downwardly facing grooves so that the upper ends of said legs of the rear leg construction abut against the shoulders at the ends of the grooves when the seat is down and restin on the upper end-of said legs of the rearpleg construction.

4. In a folding chair. the combination of a front leg construction, a rear leg construytion collapsibly pivoted in an X-shaped relathe frontleg construction, a seat pivotally connected at its rear end to the upper end of the front leg construction, -said seat inwardly of the bottom surfaces thereof having downwardly facing grooves extending along the seat from the front toward the rear and at the front terminating in abrupt shoulders facing rearwardly, the upper ends of said legs of the rear leg construction being formed to slidably extend upwardly into said downwardly facing grooves so that the upper ends of said le s of the rear leg construction abut against t e shoulders at theends of the grooves when the seat is down and resting on the upper end of said legs of the rear leg construction, said seat inwardly at the opposite sides thereof having laterally facing longitudinally extending slots said legs of the rear leg construction at their upper ends having metal retaining members provided with inwardly extending fingers extending into the lateral slots of said seat to slidably connect the seat against detachment from the legs of the rear leg construction and to insure that the upperV ends of the legs of the rear leg construction always slidably extend into the downwardly facing grooves in the bottom of said seat.

5. In a folding chair the combination of a front leg construction, a seat pivotally connected to the front leg construction, a rear leg construction slidably pivoted intermediate its ends in an X-shaped collapsible relation with the front le construction below the seat pivot on the ront leg construction, the slidable pivot of the rear leg construction to the front leg construction comprising diagonal slots formed in one of the leg constructions into which extensions on the other leg construction extends for slidably pivoting said front and rear leg constructions, and means slidably and positively connecting the upper end of the rear leg construction to the seat forwardly of its pivot mounting to the front leg seat having a shoulder formed thereon against which the upperportion of the rear leg construction may abut to hold the seat in extended seating relation.

yALFRED B. SMITH.

construction, said 

